Kenji | Our First Foster with MSIR

We applied to be foster parents for the Midwest Shiba Inu Rescue back in January and today we were able to welcome Kenji to our home - complete with an unbelievable amount of kisses and endless snuggle time on the couch. MSIR helps to save and place Shiba Inus throughout the Midwest, including Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and Indiana! Last year, they were able to save 89 Shibas in need. 89! Ronnie and I were fortunate enough to meet Mike and Jim from Pilots N Paws Pet Rescue who helped fly Kenji into Rockford on his last leg of the day. He went on two flights today and we were told he didn't make a peep - at least during the last leg! :)

As I began to go through these images on my computer after helping Kenji settle in, tears started streaming down my face. You know when you imagine a situation in your mind before it actually happens? You picture how things will be and you paint (sometimes false) images of an experience? Well, for some reason, I imagined that Kenji would be a red/tan Shiba. I'm not even really sure why - it surely wasn't that I cared about what color he was - it had just been the way that I imagined him in my head before I even met him or saw a picture of him.

It was only until I first saw Kenji's face in the back of the plane that I realized he wasn't red or tan at all. In fact, he resembled an image I've had in my head before. Something different and something that I felt as though I'd never feel close to.

He looked just as though we had imagined Milo to look if he had had the chance to live in this world.

And in that moment, I knew we were exactly where we needed to be, with the very first foster dog we needed to be with - caring and nurturing for - helping him step by step to realize that he doesn't need to be scared anymore.

We love you Kenji - and we love you Milo. You continue to bless us in so many ways. Xo

If you'd like to help support MSIR and their efforts to save our beloved Shibas, visit shiba rescue.org